Breast Cancer Now Forum

I second @Shi in suggesting you talk to oncologist about reduced dose or established pros/cons of ceasing depending on your circumstances.  for everyone else, and for what it’s worth, I was sent information by friends in the US who were astonished I hadn’t been told by the NHS about fasting before and after a treatment to reduce side effects. Apparently it’s a routine recommendation. So I did 24 hours before and another 24hrs after my last treatment (just drink water) and the difference for me has been extraordinary. Barely aware of any side effects. Apparently your healthy cells go into protective mode and are less damaged, but any cancerous cells can’t and are left exposed to the chemo.  Obviously I have to caveat this and say this is just my experience and the usual ‘it isn’t scientifically  proven’ that come down range to us even though it seems common sense when you do read the research done. For me, I just wish I tried it sooner! I am definitely doing it for my last session in a couple of weeks!  ... View more

Hi @LMH, Saw your message. From the perspective of someone who has completed FEC and one Docetaxil (Taxotere). While it was grim when the side effects and bone pain kicked in, it DID pass. I found Ibrubrofen better but after a while it wasn't touching it. I phoned in and was prescribed co-codamol to help me sleep. The next day the symptoms subsided.  To offer encouragement, you suddenly start to feel better and hopefully will have a week of 'normal' before the next one. If your organs have struggled it will be picked up on bloods. My liver wasn't happy and rather than defer a week to let it recover they decided to reduce the dose. Fingers crossed as I do my first filgrastim tonight that I don't wake up feeling like a JCB is parked on my legs and chest!    ... View more

Hi @KC57 KC57, I've found the same with eyes and nose. For the eyes I have Blephasol which I use first thing in morning and last thing at night with cotton wool pad (which enables me to read or it is all blurry!) and mini sachets that clean them out in the day - just in case that helps. Having been on the 'Look Good Feel Good' charity online course on nail care, there were women who'd finished chemo having problems who'd never been told to wear dark nail polish, to moisturise with cuticle oil, wear washing up gloves, and to wear most comfortable shoes on toes so as not to cramp them. If you haven't done it yet, sign up. An unexpected bonus is talking 'face to face' with other women going through the same thing (which I certainly miss on here).   So delighted to hear your taste is come back and there is light on the horizon. Go well -xxx   ... View more

Thank you Poppy, and hello to Cumbria. My family history is all connected to Cartmel and I have such a love for the area.  ... View more

Hi @karzo, I was thinking maybe we are all suddenly finding it getting tougher and hunkering down somewhat.  So pleased for you that your last is approaching. I have number 5 of 6 on Monday of Docetaxil/Taxotere and the last on March 14th. Can't wait for the third week after that, once the side effects start to calm down. They were nothing short of a 'bitch' this time. Bone pain off the chart, mouth like a sponge, diarrhoea, blurry eyes (eyebrows have now gone). However, there is at least light at the end of the tunnel and it can't come too soon.  And yes, I find the bell thing not for me for two reasons. One, you still have 2/3 weeks of hell ahead of you and two because while chemo is done, the rest isn't and the psychological game of 'will it return' is coming down the line. Time for some counselling me thinks! Sending love and hugs to all. xxx ... View more

Hi @Jad, Your experience mirrors mine (though I'm on FECT with 3 behind me and 3 of Docetaxil starting on 31st Jan. I really struggled with number 3 - felt no closer to the beginning than the end. While everyone kept saying 'you're half way through' I still had the week of feeling hideous before even beginning to think like that. Anyway,  Filgrastim injections made my hip bone agony this time (weird as hadn't before) but as soon as they were done I was restored. Like you I'm feeling I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. A pin prick but its there.  I'm even thinking of throwing a party in May to say thank you to everyone whose supported me. It's fun to plan with our 16 and 13 year old.  Just one thing to mention. Thanks to a critical health insurance payout I want to take myself and maybe a girlfriend on a retreat for a week, just to process this experience and think about how I want to do some things differently going forward (around work, looking after my health etc). For me I want the break to include being by the sea and having some sun, so I asked the chemo nurses on here when it is possible to 'lie in the sun' again. In answering they explained that it can take some time to come out the other side and perhaps to be cautious and remain flexible in case you get waves of fatigue. This said, things like lymphatic drainage reflexology can really help clear your system asap...... Anyway, sending you a big hug.....and good luck with 3, 4 & 5. Any tips as you deal with side effects....let me know! Charlotte ... View more

Hi all,  I'm on 6 rounds of FECT with the 3 FEC behind me and the first T/Docetaxil on 31st Jan. Got the Moo-Goo/Udderly cream at the ready and cotton gloves on order - also recommended by my mother and a friend. Question for those of you ahead of me....for those of you experiencing the painful fingers, when did that start to kick in - straight away?   Likewise fatigue. Is it just during that delightful first week or does it go on from here to a couple of weeks after the last session? (Though I know for some it goes on and on....but I suspect they are on more rounds)     ... View more

Hello everyone. I sense either we’re all focussing on doing our best to be positive through Xmas or have gone down a rabbit hole as we’re all being so quiet.  how ARE you doing? It would be nice to hear and encourage a bit of a flow of supportive communication as we come out of the ‘holiday’ period.  for my part I developed constant heart fibrillations and am now on a BETA blocker. The side effect is that tiredness as it lowers the blood pressure right down. I found I had to push to get it checked, saying ‘I know my own body and this isn’t normal’…..and I’m bloody glad I did! In fact I bought a heart monitor so I could prove it was happening because of course it didn’t happen for the half hour I had an echo cardiogram.  That aside I gave up and braved the shave. During my second FEC-T the lady sharing the cold cap machine came in and I assumed she must be on her first treatment as she had a full head of hair. Turned out it wasn’t her fifth, which made me realise it definitely wasn’t working for me when I saw myself naked in the mirror all I could think was concentration camp survivor. But I gave myself  a talking to and focused on the word survivor. Though my husband came upstairs and touched my shoulder. Whereupon I howled……. And without thinking I said ‘I am in need of tenderness’.    Those  choice of words seem to have changed his perception and he is hugging me and looking out for me more. He realises I’m not superwoman and while I can put on a brave face and seem fine with the children around….I need bolstering.  so I say to you all….ask for tenderness and I hope you receive. I send love and hugs to all xx ... View more

Hi @Grace575  i haven’t started Tamoxifen yet as I’m one of six sessions down on FEC-T chemo, so I guess I’ll start it April next year. Meanwhile, I got my period with chemo 1 which felt ironic under the circumstances.   Building up to chemo 2 on Friday. Waiting for my Amoena boob to arrive. Hair falling out everywhere but seeming to thin having used the cold cap. the lyrics to Wilson Phillips are playing in my head ‘Hood on for one more day!’    ... View more

@Niks75 I forgot to add….definitely do the ‘look good feel good’ free online session in nail care, skin and hair care. Invaluable tips like painting your nails dark so UV doesn’t react with the chemo under your nail bed. Simple solution.    ... View more

Hello @Niks75  it looks like you, me and ankther are all on the FEC-T regime? I had my first on 24th, and 2nd next Friday.  I was super anxious before first but it turned out to be easier than I thought physically, despite some weird side effects like getting my words jumbled, but I took all the drugs and it was fine. I did have a racing heart at one point but just rang the ‘sos’ line as they said it is always better to check in. I also couldn’t imagine giving myself the Filigrastin injections but when a friend said she had done this for years for colitis I knew I could too. I’ve never been so happy to have tummy fat!! Point being either way that you barely feel it. After a cannula it is nothing and it really is easy once you’ve done it once in front of your visiting district nurse (you can ask for one to help you).  I have a 16 and 13 yr old. I can but share my experience which is that I have been 100% honest so they know they can trust that I’m not hiding anything. I’ve explained what to expect with my treatment and I filled the friedge and freezer with meals for that first week. They have stepped up with keeping house tidy for our sanity and we are getting through it as a team. I am staying positive but also am not afraid to hide when I’m finding something hard. They are learning that life does throw curved balls but we get through them not by hiding or covering up our feelings but by welcoming help and support and getting through them together.  I wish you all the best and am sending hugs galore and love to everyone here  (from Dorset….)  ... View more

Hi @cs21, I’m being brief as need to do the school run but I was given a top tip. First, take two paracetamol an hour before your chemo (I checked this was ok with the chemo nurse in advance) and as a result had no problem with the cold cap (it also helped with the three goes it took them to get a cannula in 😳 ).   The cold cap info is clear that you may get patches but if you do the cap again just cover hose bald areas with wet hair or perhaps some gauze which nurse can give you.  I’m persisting as I’d rather wear a hat to cover bald patch but have my own hair poking out around the edge. being winter and hats being normal - no one would know.  so this is just to encourage you to keep going xx ... View more

Hello @mousely and other Dec starters.  I’m jumping in from previous starter thread on this occasion because my first was on 24th Nov.  I was beyond anxious before my first chemo but can honestly say the reality really was ok. You are given anti sickness pills for up to 5 days and as everyone will tell you - just take everything they give you!  Yes, you may feel groggy or have side effects but they should Be mild. Think feeling fluey but without the snot!  It is also important to take up tips and this is what this forum is for.  first up: it helps to stare which regime you are on (eg I am on the FEC-T cocktail). And note that where others talk about side effects they may be specific to what they are taking.  Definitely do the ‘Look Good Feel Good’ charity online sessions. Such simple measures like painting your nails dark from early on (stops UV reacting with drugs through the nail) will make a huge difference.  other useful ones: obviously check with your chemo nurse as I did, but I took two paracetamol an hour before my first chemo apt. It meant the cold cap to reduce hair loss and cannula was a total breeze.  second tip: cold cap works best for those with thick hair. Those who have thin hair may want to just take control and brave the shave. Buy bamboo cap in dark colour (eg black) and while our thread agree they scream cancer, you can then put a bobble or beret over the top and being winter no one would know.  Third tip: Do what you can to look after your gut health. If you can afford it or someone who is offering you help can, get Symprove or similar. Or just a probiotic yoghurt.  also make yourself go for a walk every day-it makes the world of difference to your mentality. Walking/cycling etc and all moderate exercise will help flush the drugs through, along with water. You’ll find you want to drink a lot anyway but minimum 2 litres a day. If your taste goes weird then mineral is better than tap.  finally look after your teeth. Request a dental check before you start chemo - they should fit you in. Clean mouth after every meal and any sign of an ulcer - use no-alcohol mouthwash like Cortisol or just salted water.  On that note I wish you all the best. Once you are up and running you’ll have the measure of it and be ok. And there’s an army of support when you need it here. Xx ... View more

Hi @karszo , My period also started yesterday. I'm with you - the bloody irony. Meanwhile, every time I take a hat off I anticipate a chunk of hair with it.  I am so sorry about how you are feeling. As my husband said, chemo is shit-stick whichever way you look at it.  I tried something yesterday which worked quite well. Maybe you could?  Like you I also bought a couple of bamboo chemo caps to have ready and thought they just scream 'cancer'. So I put the black one on and put a beret over the top. The result, you'd never know I didn't have hair. The other thing I've been recommended by a friend who went through this a few years back, is to buy a volumiser. See here: https://www.headscarvesbyciara.co.uk/volumiser-base-hats-bands/volumising-base-hat-1 It looks more natural, as though you do have hair, under a cap/scarf/bobble hat.     If it helps at all it did occur to me that one advantage of it being winter is that we will not look out of place wearing a hat.....unlike if it was summer.    Sending love and hugs - Charlotte     ... View more

Hi Karen @karzo  I have heard of others having the same symptom, but have not myself. I just wanted to say that I am just behind you with FEC-T and had my first on 24th. Next one is on 17th Dec.  In a sense you are taking footsteps I am following, and in the spirit of having a hand hold I appreciate you posting......it helps me. And while I know we might all have different side effects, having a heads up of possibles on the same regimen is useful.  By the way, has your hair started to fall out yet? (I'm wondering if it is 2-3 weeks or longer before it starts?) I tried the cold cap and got on ok with it thanks to a tip from the chemo nurse to take two paracetamol and hour before (it takes the edge off).  But we will see to what extent it works. I have thick hair, so fingers crossed. A final note to all.....I did the 'Look Good Feel Good' online nail care session yesterday and recommend it. I asked why we are recommended to wear DARK nail polish. The answer is because the chemo drugs react to UV through the nail, causing it to lift off the nail bed. So get your polish on, spread it around/beyond the edges of the nail before your treatment. Wash your hands when you get home and any on the skin will just wash away.   The other top, top tip is get nail or any kind of oil (coconut, olive etc) and rub it into your fingers from tip to the first joint where your nail bed actually starts growing. Do this three times a day and it will make a massive difference to nail health.  There were so many women on the session who'd never been told about wearing dark polish and were on the session having already finished their chemo but with nails in terrible condition. So, let's get the word out. ... View more

I definitely will. Thanks Shi ... View more

I’ve been offered my COVID booster tomorrow morning. My first round of chemo starts Wednesday. Has anyone else had boost so close to chemo? Not sure if it’s safe at such short notice?  ... View more

Hi, I'm jumping on as starting chemo on Wednesday. I'm Charlotte, 48, with two children (12 and 15) and live in Dorset. My cocktail will be FEC-T.  I asked for a PICC because I'm beginning to struggle with needles after the last months of being a pin cushion,  but they said no. Not until they've had to try twice to get the cannula in will they consider the PICC due to higher risk of infection.  I am finding myself worrying most about children and exposure to the colds going round at school when I am vulnerable. I've always had a tendency for chest infections. We live in a small cottage and its a challenge to find space.  Am I worrying unnecessarily or should I be thinking where would I stay if one of my family has   a cold? And what is the danger zone in a 3 week cycle? Any advice appreciated. The chemo nurse info session is at 4pm the day before I go in at 9am....so I'm relying on this website as we get our heads around this at short notice.  Love to all x   ... View more

Thank you for replying Adopted Manc. The book is brilliant...and very readable. Just enough of a blend of medical explanation and relatable writing. Thank you ... View more